2950 good or bad

[crazy as a mf]

I have a chance to buy a 2950 Deere and was wondering what to look for. It has about 3500 hours on it, cab and loader. I would use it for hay making mostly. I am concerned that it is not big enough to pull my big New Holland 688 round baler. I know it can handle the 9" disc cutter and haybine. Should I look for a larger model like a 4240 or will this tractor be ok. The price seems right. I bale about two hundred round bales throughout the summer on my ranch so it wouldnt be a daily use tractor or anything. Probably would put 50 hours a year on it or so. Thanks for any insight on this model.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If it was me, I wouldn't hesitate to use this tractor. I think that the HP is more than adequate for your needs. We have several JD's (7400 dynos113hp, 4055 dynos 214hp, 4230 dynos 155hp, 4010 dynos 155hp, 6405 dynos 100hp, 6415 dynos 105hp, another 6415 dynos 110hp. The point is that when it comes to round baling, we always use one of the 6415's and they always offer all the power required. I might add that a typical summer's haying is usually 850-900 bales and this is on land that has it's share of hills.

 

[TractormanNC]

I pull a NH 648 with a 2955 and it just plays with it. Use it because it has a cab. I think the 688 is a bigger baler but you should be OK. Now the 9 ft NH discbine with flails in heavy orchard grass will make her smoke a little. That's why we use the 4240 on it.

 

[tim s]

Lack of power is not the reason to dislike a 2950...

 

[wilamayb]

The engines were great!! Since mom taught me not to say nasty things I wont speak of the remainder of the tractor

 

[tim s]

I'm with you there....

 

[Old Bob]

I bought a new 2950 cab tractor and a new 530 John Deere baler (5x6 bales) in the 80's. No problem for the 2950 to handle the baler or a 9 foor disc cutter.

 

[larryanderson]

johnpop1,you must have three healty tractors to have a 4050 @ over 200H.P. and a 4230 and 4010 over 150H.P..The others seem about right.With added turbos the 4010 and 4230 could sure do that for awhile.

 

[Anonymous-0]

We had a 2950 MFWD and had nothing but problems, we bought it new and after couple of years we started have problems with 3pt and hydraulics, The dealer had to remove cab etc to fix ,it was in the shop a few times for the same thing. It was a good tractor for snow blower ,to small for picking stones with picker or any heavy work.Glad we got rid of it .

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 07:02:23 01/18/13) johnpop1,you must have three healty tractors to have a 4050 @ over 200H.P. and a 4230 and 4010 over 150H.P..The others seem about right.With added turbos the 4010 and 4230 could sure do that for awhile.

Larry
I agree. A 4050 juiced up to 200+ HP is a little bit far.

 

[ihman73]

It will handle that baler ok as long as you aren't into speed. Our 2950 doesn't see the NH664 (same machine older model)much. The 4440 handles it much better and is sooooo much nicer to run. Find you a 40 or 4240 you will be much happier.

 

[Too Far Gone]

If its anything like my neighbors 2750 Id run the other way.He spent thousands in tranny and rear end,and used it to rake and feed hay for 10 years.That tractor,my friends,will make a preacher cuss.

 

[crazy as a mf]

Thanks for all the replys. I will probably go look at it but will probably wait for a nice 40/42/4440 to come along instead. They seem to be near bullet proof.

 

[Tx Jim]

(quoted from post at 23:48:27 01/21/13) Thanks for all the replys. I will probably go look at it but will probably wait for a nice 40/42/4440 to come along instead. They seem to be near bullet proof.

The 40,50 & 55 series rowcrop tractors were some of the best tractors that JD put their logo on.

 

[JDGnut]

As other said.. the engine will run forever... The traction clutch is a dry clutch, and probably the weakest link in the tractor.. the upgraded clutch is better... We have had ours for about 16 yrs, and it has about 4000hrs on it... we put a PTO and traction clutch in it when we got it...
It been one of the best 2950's I know of... but I'd take the wet clutch in a the other tractors you listed anyday over the utility tractors anyday...